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What are the parts of an Embroidery Machine Needle?

Embroidery Machine Needles



Note: Before ordering needles for your embroidery machine, it's important to know that commercial embroidery machines use needles with a round shank, and domestic embroidery machines generally use needles with a flat-sided shank.



Parts of a Needle:

Shank: The upper part of the needle that is held by the needle bar. It can be completely round (for commercial machines) or flat on one side (for domestic machines.)
Blade: Also called the "shaft." The lower portion of the needle that extends from the base of the shank to the point. The groove, eye, scarf, and point are all elements of the shaft.
Scarf: The small indentation on the back of the needle just above the eye. This allows the hook of the bobbin case to get closer to the eye of the needle to catch the thread and form a stitch.
Groove: The long indentation on the front of the needle. This provides a protective channel for the thread to lie in as the needle passes through the fabric to form the stitch.
Eye: The hole above the needle point through which the needle thread passes and carries the top thread into the bobbin case for stitch formation. The size of the eye varies with the size of the needle to accommodate different size threads. (The wrong size needle for the thread may result in damage to the thread or the stitches.)
Point: The end of the needle that pierces the fabric. Different points are designed for different types of fabric.

Types of Needle Points:

Ballpoint: The point ot this needle is slightly rounded, and helps to eliminate runs. Best for working with knits, piques, and fleece.
Sharp: The sharp point of this needle is suitable for most fabrics, and is great when working with denim, terrycloth, and tightly woven goods.

Needle Numbering System:

There are two numbering systems: the European (based on metric) and the American. Most needle packages list both sizes, and both sizes are shown on Embroidery.com. The higher the number, the larger the eye of the needle. For example, the #100/16 needle has a large eye, big enough for wool thread, while the #65/9 needle has a small eye best used with 40, 50, or 60 weight Rayon thread.

For more information on needles as well as needle suggestions for specific fabrics click here.


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